Structural Engineering Specializations 101 | San Antonio

Structural engineering – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, currently under construction in Dubai

Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads economically. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right.[1]

Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large nonbuilding structures[2] but they can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item’s function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants).

Structural engineering theory is based upon physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different geometries and materials. Structural engineering design utilises a relatively small number of basic structural elements to build up structural systems that can be very complex. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.[2]

Specializations

[edit] Building structures

Sydney Opera House, designed by Ove Arup & Partners, with the architect Jorn Utzon

Millennium Dome in London, UK, by Buro Happold and Richard Rogers

Structural building engineering includes all structural engineering related to the design of buildings. It is the branch of structural engineering that is close to architecture.

Structural building engineering is primarily driven by the creative manipulation of materials and forms and the underlying mathematical and scientific principles to achieve an end which fulfills its functional requirements and is structurally safe when subjected to all the loads it could reasonably be expected to experience, while being economical and practical to construct. This is subtly different to architectural design, which is driven by the creative manipulation of materials and forms, mass, space, volume, texture and light to achieve an end which is aesthetic, functional and often artistic.

The architect is usually the lead designer on buildings, with a structural engineer employed as a sub-consultant. The degree to which each discipline actually leads the design depends heavily on the type of structure. Many structures are structurally simple and led by architecture, such as multi-storey office buildings and housing, while other structures, such as tensile structures, shells and gridshells are heavily dependent on their form for their strength, and the engineer may have a more significant influence on the form, and hence much of the aesthetic, than the architect. Between these two extremes, structures such as stadia, museums and skyscrapers are complex both architecturally and structurally, and a successful design is a collaboration of equals.

The structural design for a building must ensure that the building is able to stand up safely, able to function without excessive deflections or movements which may cause fatigue of structural elements, cracking or failure of fixtures, fittings or partitions, or discomfort for occupants. It must account for movements and forces due to temperature, creep, cracking and imposed loads. It must also ensure that the design is practically buildable within acceptable manufacturing tolerances of the materials. It must allow the architecture to work, and the building services to fit within the building and function (air conditioning, ventilation, smoke extract, electrics, lighting etc). The structural design of a modern building can be extremely complex, and often requires a large team to complete.

Structural engineering specialties for buildings include:

  • Earthquake engineering
  • Façade engineering
  • Fire engineering
  • Roof engineering
  • Tower engineering
  • Wind engineering

Contents

Structural Failure

Structural engineering – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads economically. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right.[1]

Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large nonbuilding structures[2] but they can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item’s function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants).

Structural engineering theory is based upon physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different geometries and materials. Structural engineering design utilises a relatively small number of basic structural elements to build up structural systems that can be very complex. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.[2]

Structural failure

The history of structural engineering contains many collapses and failures. Sometimes this is due to obvious negligence, as in the case of the Pétionville school collapse, in which Rev. Fortin Augustin said that “he constructed the building all by himself, saying he didn’t need an engineer as he had good knowledge of construction” following a partial collapse of the three-story schoolhouse that sent neighbors fleeing.[7] The final collapse killed at least 94 people, mostly children.

In other cases structural failures require careful study, and the results of these inquiries have been improved practices and a greater understanding of the science of structural engineering.

Contents

History of Structural Engineering 101 | San Antonio

Structural engineering – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, currently under construction in Dubai

Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads economically. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right.[1]

Structural engineers are most commonly involved in the design of buildings and large nonbuilding structures[2] but they can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, vehicles or any item where structural integrity affects the item’s function or safety. Structural engineers must ensure their designs satisfy given design criteria, predicated on safety (e.g. structures must not collapse without due warning) or serviceability and performance (e.g. building sway must not cause discomfort to the occupants).

Structural engineering theory is based upon physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different geometries and materials. Structural engineering design utilises a relatively small number of basic structural elements to build up structural systems that can be very complex. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.[2]

[edit] History of structural engineering

Structural engineering dates back to at least 2700 BC when the step pyramid for Pharaoh Djoser was built by Imhotep, the first engineer in history known by name. Pyramids were the most common major structures built by ancient civilizations because the structural form of a pyramid is inherently stable and can be almost infinitely scaled (as opposed to most other structural forms, which cannot be linearly increased in size in proportion to increased loads).[6]

Throughout ancient and medieval history most architectural design and construction was carried out by artisans, such as stone masons and carpenters, rising to the role of master builder. No theory of structures existed, and understanding of how structures stood up was extremely limited, and based almost entirely on empirical evidence of ‘what had worked before’. Knowledge was retained by guilds and seldom supplanted by advances. Structures were repetitive, and increases in scale were incremental.[6]

No record exists of the first calculations of the strength of structural members or the behaviour of structural material, but the profession of structural engineer only really took shape with the industrial revolution and the re-invention of concrete (see History of concrete). The physical sciences underlying structural engineering began to be understood in the Renaissance and have been developing ever since.

Contents

Residential Structural Engineer: Try Epoxy Injecting Foundation Cracks

By Aaron Kuertz

Concrete foundations can develop cracks over time. These cracks can then let in water and damage the interior contents of the basement. In severe cases, cracks in a concrete basement wall can signify that there is a structural defect with the wall. Whether it is to stop water or to structurally reinforce the concrete crack, epoxies can be injected into it.

Causes of Concrete Cracks

The most common is that the concrete actually shrinks as it cures. This curing process reduces the amount of water in the concrete and it shrinks in volume. This shrinkage causes stresses to occur and to relieve this stress, the concrete cracks. This is a normal process and it is not to be a cause of concern. However, they can still let in water and damage the interior contents of a basement. Shrinkage cracks usually are less than 1/16″ in width and remain a constant width throughout the life of a foundation.

A more serious concern is when the concrete has been structurally damaged. This could be occurring for a number of reasons. One of which is that the house is settling into the ground. Or the house may be sliding down a hillside. A very common reason, especially in older homes is the lateral force exerted by the soil onto the foundation. This will be evident by a bowing in of the concrete wall.

How to Determine if a Crack is Structural

There are a few easy ways to determine if a concrete crack is the result of a structural compromise in the foundation.

  1. The crack runs on a severe diagonal
  2. Horizontal cracks in a foundation wall indicate a serious problem
  3. Crack widths that increase over time.
  4. Cracks with widths in excess of 3/4″

If you are not sure or are concerned, you should contact a professional to determine if the crack is structural in nature and how to fix it.

Epoxy Injection

Whether it is a shrinkage crack or a structural crack, epoxies can be injected to make the repair. Epoxy injection is done from the interior of the basement, so no excavation on the outside needs to be done. The epoxies hardened in the crack and reinforce the concrete. They will fill the crack entirely from the bottom to the top and from front to back. In many cases, the epoxies are stronger than the concrete itself. The concrete crack will no longer be able to allow water to enter the basement.

This article is written by Aaron Kuertz with Applied Technologies. Aaron has been in the waterproofing industry since 1998. Applied Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier to professional waterproofing contractors and homeowners in the United States. To learn more about epoxy concrete crack repair visit Applied Technologies on the web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Kuertz
http://EzineArticles.com/?Concrete-Crack-Repair—Epoxy-Injection&id=2463767
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Foundation Repair: Epoxy Inject Cracks

Concrete Crack Repair – Epoxy Injection Concrete Crack Repair – Epoxy Injection
By Aaron Kuertz

Concrete foundations can develop cracks over time. These cracks can then let in water and damage the interior contents of the basement. In severe cases, cracks in a concrete basement wall can signify that there is a structural defect with the wall. Whether it is to stop water or to structurally reinforce the concrete crack, epoxies can be injected into it.

Causes of Concrete Cracks

The most common is that the concrete actually shrinks as it cures. This curing process reduces the amount of water in the concrete and it shrinks in volume. This shrinkage causes stresses to occur and to relieve this stress, the concrete cracks. This is a normal process and it is not to be a cause of concern. However, they can still let in water and damage the interior contents of a basement. Shrinkage cracks usually are less than 1/16″ in width and remain a constant width throughout the life of a foundation.

A more serious concern is when the concrete has been structurally damaged. This could be occurring for a number of reasons. One of which is that the house is settling into the ground. Or the house may be sliding down a hillside. A very common reason, especially in older homes is the lateral force exerted by the soil onto the foundation. This will be evident by a bowing in of the concrete wall.

How to Determine if a Crack is Structural

There are a few easy ways to determine if a concrete crack is the result of a structural compromise in the foundation.

  1. The crack runs on a severe diagonal
  2. Horizontal cracks in a foundation wall indicate a serious problem
  3. Crack widths that increase over time.
  4. Cracks with widths in excess of 3/4″

If you are not sure or are concerned, you should contact a professional to determine if the crack is structural in nature and how to fix it.

Epoxy Injection

Whether it is a shrinkage crack or a structural crack, epoxies can be injected to make the repair. Epoxy injection is done from the interior of the basement, so no excavation on the outside needs to be done. The epoxies hardened in the crack and reinforce the concrete. They will fill the crack entirely from the bottom to the top and from front to back. In many cases, the epoxies are stronger than the concrete itself. The concrete crack will no longer be able to allow water to enter the basement.

This article is written by Aaron Kuertz with Applied Technologies. Aaron has been in the waterproofing industry since 1998. Applied Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier to professional waterproofing contractors and homeowners in the United States. To learn more about epoxy concrete crack repair visit Applied Technologies on the web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Kuertz
http://EzineArticles.com/?Concrete-Crack-Repair—Epoxy-Injection&id=2463767
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Repair Foundation Cracks

By Aaron Kuertz

Concrete foundations can develop cracks over time. These cracks can then let in water and damage the interior contents of the basement. In severe cases, cracks in a concrete basement wall can signify that there is a structural defect with the wall. Whether it is to stop water or to structurally reinforce the concrete crack, epoxies can be injected into it.

Causes of Concrete Cracks

The most common is that the concrete actually shrinks as it cures. This curing process reduces the amount of water in the concrete and it shrinks in volume. This shrinkage causes stresses to occur and to relieve this stress, the concrete cracks. This is a normal process and it is not to be a cause of concern. However, they can still let in water and damage the interior contents of a basement. Shrinkage cracks usually are less than 1/16″ in width and remain a constant width throughout the life of a foundation.

A more serious concern is when the concrete has been structurally damaged. This could be occurring for a number of reasons. One of which is that the house is settling into the ground. Or the house may be sliding down a hillside. A very common reason, especially in older homes is the lateral force exerted by the soil onto the foundation. This will be evident by a bowing in of the concrete wall.

How to Determine if a Crack is Structural

There are a few easy ways to determine if a concrete crack is the result of a structural compromise in the foundation.

  1. The crack runs on a severe diagonal
  2. Horizontal cracks in a foundation wall indicate a serious problem
  3. Crack widths that increase over time.
  4. Cracks with widths in excess of 3/4″

If you are not sure or are concerned, you should contact a professional to determine if the crack is structural in nature and how to fix it.

Epoxy Injection

Whether it is a shrinkage crack or a structural crack, epoxies can be injected to make the repair. Epoxy injection is done from the interior of the basement, so no excavation on the outside needs to be done. The epoxies hardened in the crack and reinforce the concrete. They will fill the crack entirely from the bottom to the top and from front to back. In many cases, the epoxies are stronger than the concrete itself. The concrete crack will no longer be able to allow water to enter the basement.

This article is written by Aaron Kuertz with Applied Technologies. Aaron has been in the waterproofing industry since 1998. Applied Technologies is a manufacturer and supplier to professional waterproofing contractors and homeowners in the United States. To learn more about epoxy concrete crack repair visit Applied Technologies on the web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Kuertz
http://EzineArticles.com/?Concrete-Crack-Repair—Epoxy-Injection&id=2463767
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Home Foundation Repair: Get a Second Opinion

…Unfortunately, Foundation Repair can be very costly, so get a second opinion before you hire a repair contractor-if not by a Texas Licensed Engineer, than by someone who does not stand to gain financially from repairing your foundation system…

What kind of foundation system does your home have? Is it a slab with steel or cable? Perhaps a pier & beam? Is it doing its job? How do you know? How do you repair it? Will it be safe? Can I rely on what my builder or “home” inspector tells me?

A building foundation system separates your home or building from the supporting ground. It prevents your floor, walls and roof from moving along with the soil it sits on, and helps protect you and your family from the outside elements.

Foundation design types vary geographically. Local soil conditions, climate, and material and labor availability influence foundation design styles. Many homes in the Midwest and northeastern part of the U. S. have basements, while southern and western U. S. homes tend to be built atop solid concrete slab-on-grade foundations systems. Both foundation types are functional and respond to the needs of the locality.

Foundation performance varies from house-to-house, and from building-to-building. Foundation failure does not appear to be related to geography or locality. Often, a residential area with expansive soils may be interpreted as an area with a higher than average risk of foundation failure, where the failure is attributed to the poor soil conditions. In reality, the failure is correctly placed upon novice level design, construction and foundation evaluation techniques.

Foundation and wall cracks may suggest impending problems such as abnormal water infiltration or other structural irregularities. If your foundation is too rigid or too flexible, you may see signs of distress like brittle material fractures on the inside or outside of your home. This does not necessarily mean your foundation is physically broken. It may be that your foundation performs poorly due to improper design and construction.

But how do you know if your foundation is “broken” and needs repair? What type of inspector should you hire to inspect and determine if your foundation system has problems? To find out, ask your prospective inspector the following questions:

  1. What is your educational background? (correct answer: I have an accredited engineering degree from a four year college or university);
  2. What type of foundation inspection training do you have? (correct answer: I have a professional engineering license within the state of ________ and I have inspected over 500 foundations;
  3. How long have you been designing and building foundations? (correct answer: I have over ten years foundation design and construction experience).

If your prospective foundation inspector does not answer these three questions correctly as noted above, then it’s likely that inspector is a novice. Do you really want to trust the most important (and likely most expensive) part of your house or building to a less skilled “home inspector”?

The bottom line is this: If you suspect you may have problems with your foundation, hire a licensed professional engineer to evaluate it. That way, you’ll get a state licensed professional with the best combination of education, training and experience to diagnose and properly repair your foundation. Your piece of mind and the health of your home or building foundation are well worth it.

About the Owner:

Jeffery Lineberger's VisualCV

View Jeffery L. Lineberger, P. E.'s profile on LinkedIn

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Mortar Repair – 4 Common Crack Problems on Your Home

Mortar Repair – 4 Common Crack Problems on Your Home
By Michael Olding

It’s a sunny morning and you’re up early. You decide to grab your coffee and take a quick stroll around your homes’ exterior to look for signs of wear. You find nothing and are pleased until you turn the last corner of your home and stop abruptly in disbelief!

There before you in the beautiful brick masonry of your home is a huge crack! How did it get there? What do you do? You wonder. Whom do you call?

Well take a deep breath and relax. You’re not alone. Millions of homeowners have experienced this gut wrenching feeling as well. So don’t grab the For Sale sign just yet! Read these handy tips to understand what may be happening to your home.

1.) Settlement Cracks – These common cracks usually manifest as a ‘stair step crack’ or a crack that steps up as it moves horizontally across the wall. Found at or close to the corners of the home, wing walls and quoin corners they are common and easily repaired. Just watch and expect additional movement if the settlement has not stopped.

Solution: Contact your local masonry crack repair pro to have these cracks repaired to keep water, bugs and reptiles from entering the home.

2.) Thermal Expansion Cracks – A vertical or stair step crack usually located in the upper portions of the masonry can be caused by thermal expansion. Bricks walls expand when heated by the sun and if expansion joints are not present, can cause cracks. These cracks appear anywhere within the surface of the sunny wall or in close proximity to abutting walls

Solution: Contact your local masonry repair pro and/or a structural engineer for an evaluation. Some cracks are simple for a repair pro to evaluate and others may require an engineers analysis and testing to determine the cause and recommend the type of repair needed.

3.) Steel Expansion Cracks – Another common crack occurs at the upper corners of doorways, garage doors, windows or any opening. The usual culprit is the steel that supports the masonry above these openings. This is due to the daily and seasonal differential movement between the steel and the brick materials which expand at different rates.

Solution: Contact your local masonry repair pro to have these cracks repaired or caulked. Caulking will move with the materials and help minimize future cracking.

4.) Bulging or Bowed Wall Cracks – Cracks can appear throughout an entire wall or the wall is bulged, bowed in or out or has sunken. This is a serious issue and is usually the symptom of age related failure or structural failure due to improper reinforcement of the masonry.

Solution: Contact a structural engineer immediately for an evaluation and recommended repairs.

It is a good idea to check your home annually for signs of cracking or structural damage in the bricks on your home.

Michael Olding is tradesman and consultant in the field of restorations and repairs and currently operates a restoration and repair business in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also a Master in the field of masonry construction, restorations and repairs.

In addition he is a writer and speaker as well as a marketing, training and business consultant for the contracting industry. If you interested in his services he may be contacted by visiting http://www.cincihomepro.com

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Finding Structural Problems During Escrow: Not a Deal Killer

Finding Structural Problems During Escrow – Upscale Home Example
By Raynor James

When buying and selling homes, the property purchase is often subject to a satisfactory home inspection being done. Now and then, a home inspection uncovers severe structural problems. Here’s an example of a situation in an upscale neighborhood.

Severe Structural Problems

Does the buyer walk away when there are serious structural problems? Yes, but not always. A lot depends on the constraints facing the buyer (are they relocating to start a new job, or just “moving up” in the same general area?) and on how much the buyer likes the property. The attitude, maturity level, communication skills, and flexibility of both buyer and seller also make a huge difference.

It’s easy to see a deal blowing up in this situation. Let me tell you about a situation I saw that actually worked out.

Structural Problems – Upscale Neighborhood

The first involved two professional couples and a house one couple wanted to sell and the other wanted to buy in an established, up-scale neighborhood. The house was a colonial style, all brick, very traditional house built about 15 years ago using top of the line materials. The kitchen and bathrooms had been modernized and upgraded within the past 3 years. Top of the line materials (marble, ceramic tile, and granite) were again used.

The house was located on an acre lot that sloped gently down to the street in the front. About 10 feet from the right side of the house, the lot sloped steeply away to a pretty stream. The lot backed to a treed area of a beautifully maintained, historic estate owned by a university and open to the public on a fee-paying basis.

The home inspector noticed that the chimney on the right end of the house was pulling away from the house. It was about 2 inches away at the top, but the bottom was still attached. In the basement, there was some cracking along the wall the chimney was on. The home inspector would not certify the house as structurally sound, but recommended that an engineering firm take a look at it.

The buyer asked the seller to have an engineering study done. The seller was upset but didn’t go to pieces. Something was causing the chimney to pull away, so they called in an engineer. For legal reasons, the sellers also needed to understand what the problem was.

The engineer determined that shrink-swell soil was causing serious foundation problems. They recommended digging down a lot further than the original footers and constructing an elaborate new support system. The sellers agreed to do it and the buyers agreed to delay closing until the work was completed. Thirty thousand dollars later (out of the sellers’ pocket), the transaction closed.

In Closing

When considering the above example, what is the moral? If you keep a cool head and look for solutions, structural problems need not be a deal killer.

Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org – providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our “sell my home” page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.

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Repairing Cracked Concrete Driveways and Walkways

Repairing Cracked Concrete Driveways and Walkways
By Max Sheppard

A number of factors may cause concrete to crack. These include the ground underneath shifting, extreme fluctuations in heat and cold, too much weight being applied, and other things.

Cracked concrete is not only unsightly, it can be dangerous. A crack may be wide enough to cause someone to trip, which can result in serious injury. Anyone who has ever fallen off a bicycle onto pavement knows how painful such scrapes can be. Additionally, hitting such a hard surface can cause a broken bone, or, if one hits one’s head, a severe concussion.

If the ground has shifted underneath the concrete, and the concrete is not only cracked, but has also become uneven, this can be even more hazardous. If a car is driven over an uneven surface, especially at a fast speed, it can actually cause tire or undercarriage damage.

It is possible to repair cracks in concrete without having to have the entire driveway or walkway resurfaced. The cracked area should first be cleared of all loose concrete, then cleaned with a strong blast of water from a hose. In this way, the new concrete will adhere to the surface better.

Next, a layer of concrete should be applied to the damaged area, and smoothed with a trowel. Then a second layer should be added BEFORE the first layer has been allowed to dry.

The area should be inspected, and any missed spots filled in. If desired, a clear sealant can then be applied for additional protection and ease in subsequent cleanings.

If one does not feel comfortable, or does not have the proper tools with which to perform the work, a professional concrete contractor can be hired. However, it may be more cost-effective to have the entire driveway or walkway re-surfaced if this is done, as “piece work” may actually cost more than a “big” job. One will simply have to obtain estimates on both services, then make the a decision.

Visit Handy American for more DIY articles and access to professional local contractors.

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